The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-14
Mr.. Beecher's Lessons to the Young.

Yesterday morning the Rev. E. G. Barnard,
assistant pastor of that church, preached to the
Mayf1ower congregation from Second Kings,
sixth chapter and seventeenth verse, "And the
Lord opened the eyes Of the young man." 1t
was an address to young people forcibly Illus
trating the fact that there are things or visions
of the first Importance which the young need to
see, but which they are not in the way of seeing
without guidance on the apart OF others and
obedience their own part. In his preface be
said one of the first books of Henry Ward
Beecher that he remem bered to have read was
called Eyes and Ears" 1t was collection of
sprghtly and instructive letters suggested by
things he saw and heard. He saw and heard
them from his study windows, on the street, in
church. on the railway train, at home ard abroad.
No more active, inquisitive, effective pair of
eyes or ears existed in this land They were
always seeing OF hearing, and the marvellous
tongue and pen were constantly telling the
world what was seen and heard.
No one endeavored more constantly to look
beyond the form and material clothing of things
to their essence, their inner spiritual meaning,
than did he. His Imagination pictured to his
mind visions and realities which the less gifted
could not seq. He lived in an ideal world. but
he believed it was full of ideals which Goo had
hung before human vision. not 20 deceive, but
TO attract to noble thoughts and lives.
The young people had better friend than
Henry Ward Beecher The first book he ever
wrote, that brought him to public notice, was a
volume of lectures to young men.
They were preached while ne was pastor here
IN Indianapolis, and the last letter from his pen
that was published was to parents on the train
ing of children, printed only the day before he
was taken sick.
No one has unprecedented more clearly. or en-
forced with more SURPRISING eloquence, the d-
vine and memorable law of growth in character
and life. What man sows, that must he reap.
The result in age comes from the ideals choices
and aspirations Of youth.
The preacher illustrated the absurdity of the
idea that children should come into contact
with evil for the sake of learning by experience.
by quoting from Mr.. Beecher's late utterance.
II can never pay back what I got from my
parents in a good constitution and noble ex-
ample. If were to raise monument Of gold
higher than heaven it would be no expression of
the gratitude | owe to them for what they gave
| me, in heritage of body and heritage of soul;
and next to that l am thankful that / was
brought up in the country in circumstances
where never became acquainted with wicked
| ness. know enough about it, but am thank
| full l escaped the scaIding knowledge that many
have. l cannot express to God the thanks
| that owe to my mother, and to my father, and
| to the brothers and sisters among whom lived.
That is dying testimony OF infinite significance
to parents and to brothers and sisters they have
the keeping of the child's life Blessed will they
be if they keep it that in after years it
| never express its thanks for the keeping.